What loose ends can philanthropy help interlace? In what way can the use of data, technology and artificial intelligence promote social transformations? What influence does family philanthropy have? How can philanthropy help reduce inequalities?

These and many other questions conducted the panels in the 13th Brazilian Philanthropy Forum, that happened on September 4th, organized by IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment, with the presence of influential people from brazilian and world philanthropy and organized civil society.

With the theme ‘Interlaced Philanthropy’, the Forum is organized in partnership with Global Philanthropy Forum and Charities Aid Foundation. “This is a space for learning, reflecting and exchanging experiences. Each year we seek to bring major issues to the debate, bringing together perspectives from different regions of Brazil and the world, and bearing in mind that it is these networks and knots that spread in our society the hope for a more equitable country”, emphasized Paula Fabiani, CEO of IDIS, in the event opening. 

IDIS also celebrated its 25th anniversary with the participation of the Institute’s founder, Marcos Kisil. “I realized the lack of technical support for active philanthropists as well as for those that might come. This was the motivation that originated IDIS”, he explained.

“Philanthropy has to engage with the multiple Brazilian realities”. With this warning, Cida Bento, the author of ‘O pacto da branquitude’, started her speech in the panel that discussed the impacts of philanthropy in reducing social inequalities, next to Renata Piazzon from Arapyaú Institute, Sergio Fausto from Fundação Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and moderation from Philip Yun from CCWA and Global Philanthropy Forum. 

“Brazil needs an environment in which people from different sectors talk more among one another. We need to get together and understand that ‘whiteness’ it’s not transparency, it’s a worldview. It’s a way to seek for a solution. We need black people to be a part, not only of the group who receives the projects’ support, but also of the group who thinks in which direction we must go”, continued Cida. According to Yun, “We need to be aware of the fact that the world has changed forever. What used to work in the past, won’t work in the future”.  

When it comes to the influence of family philanthropy, José Luiz Egydio Setúbal highlighted the importance of the dialogue between wealthy families for the resolution of social issues. “Philanthropy will not be the one to save Brazil or end inequality, but the ability of interacting and exchanging with multiple sectors will. In the case of family philanthropy, there is a big capacity to influence in the three different sectors: governments, companies and society”, he defends. 

The relevance of philanthropy for the provision of public health services was highlighted by Carla Reis, Chief of the Industrial and Services Complex Department within the Productive Development, Innovation, and Foreign Trade Area of BNDES. Today, in Brazil, philanthropic hospitals are responsible for around 60% of the high and medium complexity care services provided by SUS. 

Philanthropy and technology

“Do today’s technologies reach vulnerable territories?”, with this question Daniel Paixão, Founder of the NGO Fruto de Favela and of Hub-Periférico, discussed technology as a drive to social change. “We realized we were established in a city with one of the biggest technological complexes in the country, ‘Porto Digital’, but the most vulnerable communities were not being included in it”, he explained about his motivation to create the Hub. 

Luana Genót, founder and executive director of ‘Instituto Identidades Brasil (ID_BR)’, addressed the launch of Deb, an artificial intelligence program that answers your questions about inclusion related themes. “Deb helps us expand what we have been doing with impressive numbers, but we want everyone to be able to ask their own questions without fear of being canceled”. Beatriz Johannpeter, director of Instituto Helda Gerdau, was also present in the debate, and she presented investments made on social impact businesses, with the moderation of Alex Pinheiro, co-founder and CEO of ‘Ecossistema Square’.

Commitment 1%

The event also presented the official launch of Commitment 1%, a movement envisioned by IDIS and Instituto MOL, this initiative aims to engage companies to donate at least 1% of their annual net profit to civil society organizations and social causes. Twelve companies have already pledged to Commitment 1%: AB Mauri, brazilian affiliate to the international group Associated British Foods, Agência Métrica, Cyrella, fama re.capital, Grupo Gaia,  KPMG, Mattos Filho, MOL Impacto, Pantys, PWC, RD Saúde e Tozzini Freire Advogados.

‘Unraveling the S in the ESG Agenda’ follows the narrative that highlights the importance of corporations to drive social and environmental change. The session had the contribution of Luciana Morelli, executive director of the Office of Equality at Salesforce for Latin America, Liane Freire, founder and CEO of BlendGroup and Mônica Gregori, COO at Global Compact Network Brazil, with the moderation of Tarcila Ursini Corporate Advisor and Co-Chair of the System B Council. 

The Forum’s closing session proposed a debate that would intertwine life stories to weave the future, with the participation and deposition of Cláudia Soares Baré, executive director of Fundo Podáali, Grace Maingi, executive director of Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) and Julia Brindisi, head of Philanthropic Investments for the Americas at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, with the moderation of Paula Fabiani. Other issues were also discussed throughout the day, such as emergency response, the use of data as raw material, the role of intermediary organizations and the role of philanthropy in strengthening communities. 

The event as a whole received 57 panelists and specialists in 11 different sessions, with an in-person audience of 294 people. Also, the live broadcast through YouTube received 1,398 viewers throughout the day. The event was made with Movimento Bem Maior as Master partner, RD Saúde as Silver partner, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Fundação Grupo Volkswagen, Fundação Itaú, Fundação José Luiz Egydio Setúbal, Instituto Aegea and Instituto Sicoob as Bronze partners, as well as UNICEF Brazil as institutional partner. 

Watch the full event here. 

About IDIS 

We are IDIS – Institute for the Development of Social Investment, a civil society organization founded in 1999 and pioneer in technical support to social investors in Brazil. With the mission to inspire, support and promote strategic philanthropy and its impact, we serve individuals, families, companies, corporate and family run institutes and foundations, as well as with civil society organizations, in actions that transform realities and contribute for the reduction of social inequality in the country. Our actions are based on the tripod of generating knowledge, offering advisory and developing social impact projects that contribute to the strengthening of the ecosystem of strategic philanthropy and of giving culture.